Pressure-actuated linearly retractable and extendible hose

ABSTRACT

A linearly self-actuated hose for use in transporting fluids (liquids, gases, solid particles, and combinations of these three). Hose ( 30   b ) has a biasing spring ( 36 ) extends along the full length, and can comprise single or multiple springs and/or multiple diameter spring coils. Spring ( 36 ) is covered with hose cover material ( 32 ) on the outside and hose cover material ( 34 ) on the inside to form a sealed hose and are bowed inward or outward radially between the individual spring coils depending on the intended use of hose ( 30   b ) to give the cover materials room to move out of the way when the hose retracts and the coils of spring ( 36 ) are forced close together. Hose ( 30   b ) is designed with a source end ( 26 ) and a output end ( 68 ). A pressure control mechanism is used on output end ( 68 ) to control the extending and retracting of hose ( 30   b ). The Linearly Retractable Hose is operated by changing internal pressure within the hose relative to the ambient pressure on the exterior of the hose. Control of fluid pressure within hose ( 30   b ) is what allows the hose to operate as an automatically extendable and retractable hose. The biasing of spring ( 36 ) depends on the type of use for the hose. For hose ( 30   b ) which will be used as a vacuum hose then the biasing spring ( 30   b ) must exert an extending force on the cover material (opposite that for a pressure hose). If the hose is to be used as a pressure hose (garden hose, etc.), spring ( 36 ) will need to have a bias that exerts a retracting force on cover materials ( 32 ) and ( 34 ).

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This utility application claims priority from U.S. Provisionalapplication Ser. No. 60/335,497, filed on Nov. 24, 2001.

BACKGROUND

[0002] Field of Invention

[0003] The field of this invention relates to hoses for carrying fluidmaterials (i.e. gas, liquid, solid particle mixes) and more specificallyfor hoses that have a retractable and/or extendable means built into thehose itself.

SUMMERY

[0004] The Pressure-Actuated Linearly Retractable and/or Extendable Hose(here after referred to as Linearly Retractable Hose, retractable hose,or hose) disclosed here is a general type of retractable and extendiblehose that can be used to care any fluid (liquid, gas, solid particles,or mixture of the three). To describe the contraction and extension ofthe hose, the terms “linearly retractable” and “linearly extendible” areused respectfully in this document to describe the longitudinalretraction or longitudinal extension of the hose along its length. Thisterm, “linearly” was used to differentiate the disclosed invention fromprior art systems which may retract the length of the hose (in alongitudinal direction), but do not significantly change the hose'sfluid flow length itself (hose sections expand and/or contract parallelto fluid flowing through the hose at that section). Thus, the term“linearly” as used here, does not necessarily describe straight-linelength changes in the hose, but instead describe length changes alongthe curved path (longitudinal path) of the hose. The LinearlyRetractable Hose can work with both pressure hoses (pressure inside thehose is greater-than ambient pressure outside the hose) and vacuum hoses(pressure inside the hose is less-than the ambient pressure outside thehose). The same general hose structure can be used for both pressure andvacuum hoses with only changes to the bias directions of its integratedspring. The Linearly Retractable Hose has two basic states: 1) anextended state where the hose may be used and 2) a retraced state wherethe hose is not being used. In both cases, the extending or retractingto either of the states is automatically controlled by adjusting thepressure (above or below ambient pressure) within the hose against thebiasing means. The biasing means may comprise a spring positioned alongthe length of the hose, both to support of the hose radially, and tolongitudinally bias the hose against (in the opposite direction of) theinternal pressure (above or below ambient pressure) within the hose. Inother words, the biasing means pushes longitudinally along the length ofthe hose, opposite the force created by the pressure differentialbetween the interior and exterior of the hose. Thus, the magnitude ofthese two forces are opposed to one another.

[0005] For vacuum hoses (hose pressure below ambient pressure), thespring would be biased to extend the hose to full length when notexperiencing sufficient vacuum pressure internally (within the hosechannel) to overcome the spring bias. For pressure hoses (hose pressureabove ambient pressure), the spring would be biased to contract to itsminimum length when not experiencing sufficient internal pressure toovercome spring bias. A fluid flow restriction device at the working endof these two types of hoses may be used to control the pressure withinthe hose by restricting the flow through the hose. This control ofpressure determines whether the hose can be extended or retractedagainst the force generated by the biasing spring (or biasing means).For a vacuum hose, a substantial restriction (or closing-off) of theworking end of the hose causes vacuum pressure within the hose toincrease (lower absolute pressure). This increase in vacuum pressurepushes longitudinally on the ends of the vacuum hose, due to atmosphericpressure, and on its individual coils to compress the hose to its fullyretracted position. For a pressure hose, a restriction at the workingend of the hose, or along its length, causes the internal pressurewithin the hose to rise above the outside ambient pressure. Thispressure can cause the hose to extend to its full length. The pressurehose is biased to retract when a low pressure difference is present,while the vacuum hose is biased to extend when a low vacuum pressure ispresent. This biasing allows each hose to utilize the internal pressure(pressure hoses) or vacuum pressure (vacuum hoses) of the fluid withinit to control its extending and retracting.

OBJECTIVES AND ADVANTAGES

[0006] Accordingly, several objects and advantages of the invention are:

[0007] a) To provide a hose that retracts itself to a much smallerlength when not in use.

[0008] b) To provide a hose that retracts itself to a much smallervolume when not in use.

[0009] c) To provide a hose that automatically extends itself for use.

[0010] d) To allow control of the hose's extension and retraction byutilizing the pressure differential between the interior and exterior ofthe hose.

[0011] e) To provide automatic retraction force on a hose when thepressure differential between the exterior and interior of the hose isnear zero.

[0012] f) To provide automatic extension force on a hose when thepressure differential between the exterior and interior of the hose isnear zero.

[0013] g) To provide a vacuum hose that forcefully extends itself whenvacuum pressure is released.

[0014] h) To provide a pressure hose that forcefully retracts itselfwhen fluid pressure is shut off.

[0015] i) To provide a longitudinal hose retraction method that is builtinto the hose itself.

[0016] j) To provide a longitudinal hose extension method that is builtinto the hose itself.

[0017] k) To provide a longitudinal hose extension and/or retractionmethod that is built into the hose itself.

[0018] l) To provide a hose for extending and retracting linearly alongits longitudinal length.

[0019] m) To provide a means to activate extending and/or retracting ofa hose by controlling the fluid pressure or vacuum within the hose.

[0020] n) To provide control of fluid pressure or vacuum within a hosewith a control valve (i.e. hand operated valve, electrical switchoperated, solenoid controlled, pressure controlled switch, hydraulicmotor, pump, etc.) which can close off the hose's air passageway.

[0021] o) To provide internal fluid pressure or vacuum by controlling arestriction in the fluid flow near the end of the hose (i.e. handoperated valve, electrical switch operated, solenoid controlled,pressure controlled switch, hydraulic motor, pump, etc.).

[0022] p) To allow compact storage of a hose and in much less volumethan winding a standard hose on a reel.

[0023] q) To provide a vacuum hose with a pressure relief valve toreduce the retraction force on the linearly retractable hose when theend of the hose is sealed off.

[0024] r) To provide a pressure relief valve for a vacuum hose wandcombined with a means of closing-off the suction passageway so the hosewand can be used with a linearly retractable hose.

[0025] s) To provide a vacuum hose wand with a hinged port for exceptingobjects into the hose wand's air passageway with the hinged port alsofunctioning as a pressure relief valve.

DRAWING FIGURES

[0026]FIG. 1A Linearly Retractable Pressure Hose under low internalpressure

[0027]FIG. 1B Linearly Retractable Pressure Hose under high internalpressure

[0028]FIG. 2A Linearly Retractable Vacuum Hose under high internalvacuum.

[0029]FIG. 2B Linearly Retractable Vacuum Hose under low internalvacuum.

[0030]FIG. 3A Section view of Linearly Retractable Pressure Hose(extended).

[0031]FIG. 3B Section view of Linearly Retractable Pressure Hose(retracted).

[0032]FIG. 3C Section view of Linearly Retractable Vacuum Hose(retracted).

[0033]FIG. 4 Pressure chart showing key points for Linearly RetractableHose operation.

[0034]FIG. 5 Diagram of typical spring force and retraction ratio for alinearly extendible and retractable PRESSURE hose.

[0035]FIG. 6 Diagram of typical spring force and retraction ratio for alinearly extendible and retractable VACUUM hose.

[0036]FIG. 7A Alternate Linearly Retractable Hose with variable diameterspring (extended).

[0037]FIG. 7B Alternate Linearly Retractable Hose with variable diameterspring (retracted).

[0038]FIG. 8A Alternate Linearly Retractable Hose with multiple springcoils (extended).

[0039]FIG. 8B Alternate Linearly Retractable Hose with multiple springcoils (retracted).

[0040]FIG. 9A Linearly Retractable water hose (pressure hose) with waterturned off.

[0041]FIG. 9B Linearly Retractable water hose (pressure hose) with waterturned on.

[0042]FIG. 10A Alternate Linearly Retractable Vacuum Hose in retractedposition.

[0043]FIG. 10B Alternate Linearly Extendible and Retractable Vacuum Hosein extended position.

[0044]FIG. 11 Side-view of hose wand in FIG. 2A-B.

[0045]FIG. 12 Side-view of hose wand with pressure relief valve forvacuum hoses.

[0046]FIG. 13 Side-view of hose wand with separate pressure relief valveand sealing valve for vacuum hoses.

[0047]FIG. 14 Side-view of hose wand with separate pressure relief valveand sealing valve for vacuum hoses.

[0048]FIG. 15 Perspective view hose wand with combined pressure reliefvalve and sealing valve.

[0049]FIG. 16 Perspective view hose wand with combined pressure reliefvalve and sealing valve.

[0050]FIG. 17 side-view of Alternate vacuum hose wand withthumb-operated sealing valve.

[0051]FIG. 18 Section view of nozzle end of pressure hose with fluidrestriction.

[0052]FIG. 19 Perspective view hose wand with combined pressure reliefvalve and sealing valve.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0053] Hose Construction—(FIGS. 1A-B, 2A-B, 3A-C, 4, 5, 6, 7A-B, and8A-B)

[0054]FIGS. 1A and 1B show a preferred self-extending andself-retracting Linearly Retractable Pressure Hose 30 designed to be agarden hose with a flexible elongated body. Note that hose body 30 inFIGS. 1A and 1B are much shorter than an actual garden hose would bemanufactured, but limited space on the page requires the shorter lengthof hose in order to be able to contrast the hose's retracted and fullyextended states. Hose body 30 may be made with a thin-walled flexiblematerial. A source connector 20 can be attached to one end of hose 30and a nozzle connector 22 may be attached to the other end. Both ends 20and 22 can be made to match standard garden hose connectors. This allowswater to be transported from the source end of the hose to the nozzleconnector end. Nozzle connector 22 can be designed to except standardwater hose nozzles and sprinklers for standard garden hoses, such as,lawn sprinkler 24. Almost all water nozzles and sprinklers providesignificant restrictions in the flow of water through them to increasethe pressure within hose 30 sufficiently to cause it to extend as shownin FIG. 1B. The construction of hose 30 will be discussed in more detailduring the discussion of FIGS. 3A-B.

[0055]FIGS. 2A and 2B show a preferred self-extending andself-retracting vacuum hose body 30 b being used as a vacuum cleanerhose. A source connector 26 can be attached to one end of hose 30 b anda nozzle connector 28 (hose wand) can be attached to the other end.Source connector 26 can be designed to attach to a vacuum port on avacuum cleaner for communicate Suction air into hose 30 b and ultimatelyto the end of hose wand body 68. Hose wand 28 can also have a valvemechanism 25 for closing off the suction airflow through hose 30 b andhose wand body 68. Hose wand 28 is shown in more detail in FIG. 11.

[0056] In FIG. 3A we see a typical Linearly Extendable and RetractableHose construction in section view cut longitudinally down its center.Hose 30 is specifically designed to be a pressure hose. The constructioncan be similar to existing hoses except biasing spring 36 isspecifically biased for the environment the hose will be used in. Abiasing means can be incorporated to bias the hose toward extension ortoward retraction. The biasing means can be integrated with the body ofthe hose or can be internal or external to the body of hose 30. Biasingspring 36 can be a simple helical spring that extends along the fulllength of the hose, but may be comprised of multiple spring coils and/ormultiple diameter spring coils. Spring 36 may be integrated completelywith hose 30 as shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, or may be internal or externalto hose 30. For designs with such internal or external biasing mean, thebiasing means may only be attached at the ends of hose 30. Similarinternal and external construction can be used with other hoses shown inthis application. The biasing means can be constructed of multiple wirecoils to provide electrical power to the end of the hose, and sincenothing rotates on this type of hose the connections can be very simple.In FIG. 3A, helix spring 36 is shown covered with hose cover material 32on the outside and hose cover material 34 on the inside which provides aflexible elongated body for the hose. This cover material can be moldedonto the spring or wound with interlocking strips onto the spring, as iscommon practice in present day vacuum hose construction (this type ofthin wall construction is needed even if the hose is used as a pressurehose). Alternatively, spring 36 may not be solidly attached to the hoseat all, but simply positioned around the hoses exterior surface, orpositioned within the hoses interior. Spring 36 can be attached at thehose ends and still provide the needed biasing for the hose designsshown here to operate properly. Vinyls and other polymers may be usedfor cover materials 32 and 34 to make them thin, but also strong anddurable and easy to bond to one another. Cover materials 32 and 34 maybe bowed outward between the spring coils as it is molded around thespring coil. This gives the cover material room to move out of the waywhen the hose retracts and spring coils 36 are forced close together(see FIG. 3B). The biasing of spring 36 is what allows the hose tofunction as an automatically extending and retracting hose. The biasingof spring 36 depends on the type of use for the hose. For hose 30 whichis intended to be used as a pressure hose, spring 36 will need to have abias that exerts a retracting force on cover materials 32 and 34 and/orconnectors (not shown in FIGS. 3A-B) on the ends of the hose.Preferably, the spring would continue this retracting force, even whenthe hose is in its fully compressed (retracted) state. Bias spring 36,thus, can be a coiled spring that is still providing retracting forceeven when fully retracted. From this natural retracted state, the springis stretched before the hose cover materials are placed onto it. Then,when the hose is released, it naturally takes on its fully retractedstate. If the hose where to be used as a vacuum hose (see FIG. 3C) thenthe biasing spring must exert an extending force on the cover material(opposite that for a pressure hose). The spring can continue to exertsignificant extending force even with the hose is in its fully extendedposition. The vacuum hose spring is thus an open coiled spring that hasbeen compressed before having the hose cover materials wound around it.The hose must be further compressed to reach its fully retractedposition. When the vacuum hose is released it naturally takes on itsfully extended state.

[0057]FIG. 3B shows hose 30 from FIG. 3A in a partially retracted state.Cover material 34 provides most of the pressure support and may have amesh of fibers within a more flexible material to help withstand higherpressures. Cover material 32 can be molded on top of spring coils 36(compression biased spring) and cover material 34 to hold the entiresystem together. Because this is a pressure hose, materials 32 and 34arc or bow outward in between the coils of spring 36. This slightoutward bow assists the hose in keeping the cover material from gettingtrapped between the adjacent coils of bias spring 36. When retracted asshown in FIG. 3B, spring 36 can still provide a retracting force on thehose materials 32 and 34. This may assure that the hose can be fullyretracted even when some pressure still exists within the hose. FIG. 3Bshows hose 30 only partially retracted with further contraction possibleuntil cover material 34 makes contact with itself inside the hose.Ideally, the bias spring would continue to contract the hose until thecover material 34 is stopped by contact with itself. This means thecover materials need to be flexible to allow easy stretching andcontracting. Cover material 34 on the inside of the spring coilproviding most of the pressure holding ability of the hose. Spring 36acts as a support structure for hose cover material 34 to keep it fromexpanding radially too far. Cover material 32 basically provides a coverfor the spring and also helps hold cover 34 in place on the springcoils. Cover material 32 can be eliminated if cover material 34 ismolded around the spring coils sufficiently that cover 34 maintains itsplace on the spring. Alternative designs may allow the spring to slidefreely with respect to the hose material. The cover material can bedesigned to expand outward between the coils of the spring (or aremolded with this expansion) so that the cover material does notinterfere significantly with the spring when the hose is retracted. Inother words cover materials 32 and 34 are flexible enough that the hosecan expand and contract without large forces generated by the covermaterials that resist this expansion and contraction. This also meansthat the cover materials do not get bunched up between the coils of thespring and stop the full retraction of the hose.

[0058]FIG. 3C we see a section view of a vacuum hose 30 b similar tohose 30 in FIG. 3A, but with a different biasing spring 36 b and adifferent molding shape to its covering material. Hose cover materials32 b and 34 b are molded around spring 36 b similar to hose 30, but tohave a slightly inward bow to the space between the coils of spring 36b, so that vacuum pressure can easily pull cover materials 32 b and 34 binward between the spring coils. Spring 36 b in this vacuum hose isbiased to expand the hose cover material to its fully extended length.This means that in its compressed position in FIG. 3C, spring 36 b isunder compression forces, with force needed to keep it in this retractedstate (the force may come from either vacuum pressure and/or supporthousing). In its relaxed state, the hose in FIG. 3C can be fullyextended and bias spring 36 b can still be exerting an extension forceon the hose cover materials 32 b and 34 b. This assures that the hosecan be fully extended even if some vacuum pressure exists within thehose.

[0059] Spring Bias and Pressure Relationship—FIGS. 4, 5, 6

[0060]FIG. 4 shows a graph of the different pressure states for thedisclosed linearly retractable hose. For the discussion of the graph inFIG. 4, the term “longitudinal bias force” or simply “bias force” isdefined to include both the spring bias and any biasing caused by theflexible cover material that actually makes up the hose. In most designsthe biasing of the flexible cover material of the hose is designed to besmall compared to the biasing caused by the spring. However, in somedesigns, for special purposes, the cover material may represent asignificant portion of the bias force. In fact, if desired, the hose mayobtain all its biasing force from the cover material, and not need aseparate metal or composite spring at all.

[0061] In FIG. 4, when the interior pressure and exterior pressure ofthe hose are the same (zero gauge pressure), the hose is in what iscalled its “natural state”, where the spring bias determines whether thehose is extended or retracted. This zero gauge pressure is signified by“0 ambient pressure” at the middle of the graph. Pressures to the leftof “0” are vacuum pressure (pressure less-than ambient) and pressures tothe right of “0” have positive pressure (pressure greater-than ambient).In general, a pressure hose will only experience pressure values to theright of “0” and vacuum hoses will only experience pressures to the leftof “0”. However, in some applications, pressure fluctuations may extendoutside this range for each type of hose.

[0062] As pressures within the hose change, the state or mode that thehose is in, also changes. Reading from left to right on the graph inFIG. 4, “Max. Vacuum” represents the lowest pressure obtainable by thevacuum system using the hose. This “Max. Vacuum” vacuum pressure causesthe linearly retractable hose to contract to its fully retracted state.The hose tends to remain in its fully retracted state until vacuumpressure is reduced to vacuum pressure V₂ where the force exerted by thelongitudinal bias force exactly balances the longitudinal force exertedby the pressure V₂ on the hose (net longitudinal force equalszero—equilibrium). This equilibrium state, continues as the vacuumpressure is further reduced and the hose extends. The term “vacuumpressure is reduced” means that the “absolute pressure” is increased,that is, less vacuum pressure means more absolute pressure. In practice,viscose fluids flowing through the hose will produce different pressureswithin different sections of the same hose, due to restrictions(friction). Thus, one section of the hose may be above pressure V₂,while at the same time, another section of the hose can be belowpressure V₂. Thus, some sections of the hose may be extending whileother sections are still retracted. As vacuum pressure is furtherreduced, the vacuum hose begins to extend until a pressure V₁ isreached. Between pressures V₂ and V₁, bias force can exactly cancel theforce due to vacuum pressure on the hose if no external forces areapplied to the hose. When the entire length of hose reaches pressure V₁,or less, the hose is considered fully extended. The hose cover materialmay be designed so that pressure changes between V₁ and “0” have verylittle effect on the length of the hose because further extension can belimited by the tension in the cover material. Below vacuum pressure V₁,the bias force “0” the vacuum hose over-powers the forces generated byvacuum pressure and the vacuum hose remains fully extended due to thebias force. At “0” gauge pressure, the vacuum hose will be fullyextended with substantial force exerted by the bias spring force. Alsoat “0” gauge pressure, a pressure hose is fully retracted due to itsbiasing spring (opposite the vacuum hose biasing spring). The pressurehose remains retracted until pressure within the hose increases to gaugepressure P₁. At a pressure of P₁, the pressure hose is still fullyretracted (net longitudinal force negative, trying to retract hose), butthe force exerted by the bias force exactly cancels the force exerted bythe internal pressure P₁. As the hose gauge pressure increases from P₁to P₂, the pressure hose extends and reaches its full length at apressure of P₂. Again, if fluid is flowing through the hose,restrictions in the hose (fluid friction) may result in significantdifferences in pressure at different sections of the hose. At thepressure of P₂ the bias force still exactly matches the pressure force(net longitudinal force equals zero), but it can be now fully extended.Above pressure P₂ (net longitudinal force positive—tending to extendhose) the pressure hose remains fully extended and cannot extendsignificantly further because it is restrained by the hose covermaterial itself. Thus, the hose maintains substantially its fullyextended length between pressure P₂ and up to its “Max. pressure” whichis the maximum pressure the hose can withstand.

[0063] In FIG. 5 we see hose 30 from FIG. 3A in a graph showing howspring tension and the expansion length of the pressure hose relate. Thevalues shown in FIG. 5 are just for example and nearly any values can beobtained by proper selection of biasing spring and hose cover materialdesign. At the top of the graph we see spring 36 in its “natural state”uncompressed state, that is, no external forces exerted on it. Below the“Uncompressed Spring 36” in FIG. 5, we see Hose 30 in its fullyretracted state (natural state). Notice that hose 30 is considerablylonger than spring 36, this added length is due to two thicknesses ofcover material 34 between each coil in spring 36 which limits how farspring 36 can contract. Also, notice on the “Spring Tension” bar, thatspring 36 actually provides negative one pound of contracting force(compression force) even when hose 30 is fully retracted. The negativesign signifies that the bias force is trying to compress the hose. Belowhose 30 in its fully retracted state is hose 30 shown in its fullyextended state. On the “Spring Tension” bar we see that seven pounds offorce are needed to overcome the spring tension when fully extended.This does not take into account any additional biasing forces that maybe caused by the hose cover material. Notice that the force generated bythe spring increases linearly, which is typical for simple springs. The“Length Expansion Ratio” bar shows the different expansion ratios forpressure hose 30 normalized to the natural retracted length of spring36. From this graph, we see that seven pounds of pressure force on theends of hose 30 is needed to overcome spring bias (bias force) whenfully extended. These forces are relatively easy to obtain with atypical household water faucet that usually has a working pressurebetween 40 and 80 pounds per square inch (psi). Thus, for a hose withclose to a one square inch cross-section, only a small fraction of theactual water pressure may be needed to forcefully extend hose 30 andkeep it fully extended while in use. A typical spray nozzle will providesufficient restriction in the water flow to provide sufficient pressureto extend the hose. For areas with low water pressure lighter biassprings may be needed. Spring 36 may be designed with a pre-stressedstructure so that at the uncompressed length the spring experiencesminus three pounds (−3 lbs.) of force instead of the minus zero pounds(−0 lb) shown in FIG. 5. By using such a pre-stressed spring, the fullyretracted hose may then have minus 4 pounds of force instead of “−1 lb”and minus 10 pounds of force when fully extended instead of “−7 lb”. Thebiasing spring may also be adjusted by other means, such as, using adifferent “spring constant (k)” for the spring, to provide the desiredrange of forces for a specific application.

[0064] In FIG. 6 we see vacuum hose 30 b from FIG. 3C in a graph showinghow spring tension and compression ratio relate to vacuum hoseoperation. At the top of FIG. 6 we see spring 36 b in its “natural”uncompressed state. Once molded into hose 30 b, spring 36 b iscompressed to about one-half its natural length (this compression ratiowas selected arbitrarily). Thus, spring 36 b can be compressed withinhose 30 b even when the hose is fully extended. In this fully extendedstate hose 30 b may have one-half the original length of spring 36 b. Inthis compressed state, spring 36 b exerts a 2.4 pound forcelongitudinally outward along the hose. As the hose is furthercompressed, the spring tension increases to 4.0 pounds when fullyretracted. For this example, when vacuum hose 30 b is fully retracted,it has a length one-third its fully extended length and one-sixth theoriginal length of spring 36 b. Notice that spring 36 b increaseslinearly as it is compressed. Thus, the hose remains extended even under2.4 pounds of compressive force (V₁) generated by vacuum pressure. Whenvacuum force increases to 4.0 pounds (V₂) as the vacuum hose contractsto its fully retracted position. After fully compressed, hose 30 bcannot retract any more because of physical material within the hosestopping it (i.e. spring 36 b and cover 32 b), so additional vacuumpressure greater-than V₂ does not significantly change the hose length.Notice that even though 2.4 pounds of force are needed to start hose 30b retracting, only 1.6 more pounds of force are needed to put the hosein a fully retracted state. It is the initial compression of spring 36 bthat allows relatively large vacuum pressures to not effect hose lengthand for small additional changes in vacuum pressure to fully contractthe hose. The biasing forces may be adjusted over a wide range ofproperties while still allowing the hose to operate. The biasing forcecan be tailored to provide a wide range of vacuum pressure where thehose is fully extended, while at the same time not creating such astrong bias force that the hose cannot fully retract with the available“Max.Vacuum”. By adjusting the springs “spring constant” and/or itsinitial compression ratio when fully extended, one can control the valueof pressures V₁ and V₂.

[0065] Alternate Hose Designs—FIGS. 7A-B, and 8A-B

[0066] In FIGS. 7A and 7B we see a section view of an alternative hosedesign. In this design, a bias spring 44 has a variable diameter with aflexible elongated hose cover 42 molded around it. Spring 44 variesbetween a diameter of D₁ and D₂, oscillating between the two diametersalong the length of the hose. This gives the hose a slightly spiral lookto it even though the spring's coils are in-line. When the hose iscompressed, a greater compression ratio is possible than with a straightcoiled spring because the smaller diameter coils 44D₂ can fit inside thelarger diameter coils 44D₂ as seen in FIG. 7B. The thickness of hosecover 42 is greatly exaggerated here to show detail. Also an inner coveris not shown for the same reason, but may have a structure similar tocover 34 b in FIG. 3C.

[0067] In FIGS. 8A and 8B we see a section view of another alternativehose design. In this design, two bias springs are used, spring 54 with adiameter D₁ and spring 56 with a diameter D₂. This two spring design mayallow greater compression ratios, like hose 40 in FIGS. 7A-B. The coilsof springs 54 and 56 are alternated along the length of hose 50 so thatthe hose cover material 52 alternates between a diameter of D₁ and D₂along a spiral path. Because the coils of springs 54 and 56 alternatethey require twice the θ₁ angle as hose 40 for the same absolute coilspacing. This limits how large the compression ratio of the hose can bebecause as θ₁ gets larger, the amount of stretching needed on covers 52and 42 increases. Thus, hose 50 can only have about one-half theextended length of hose 40 with the same number of spring coils. Becausespring 54 has a smaller diameter than spring 56, angle θ₂ is larger thanangle θ₁. The thickness and stiffness of cover material 52, and the wayit folds as the hose retracts is key to getting the maximum ratio ofextended to retracted lengths. If two or more conductors are needed,such as to supply electrical power to the end of the hose, a singlebiasing coil may be used which has multiple conductors in it. Forexample, the hose shown in prior art U.S. Pat. No. 5,555,915.

[0068] Cover materials 42 and 52 could also be placed inside the springcoils of their respective hose to make it usable as a pressure hose. Inthis case, the folds of the cover material would bow outward between thespring coils when the hose was retracted. The use of multiple diameterspring coils would again allow greater compression ratios for the hosesif designed properly.

[0069] Vacuum Hose Wand and Pressure Release—FIGS. 10 thought 17

[0070]FIGS. 10A and 10B shows Linearly Retractable Vacuum Hose 110slidably attached at locking ring 122 to vacuum cleaner hose wand 120.Hose 110 comprises source connector 112, flexible elongated hose 114,and locking ring 122 to provide a continuous air channel betweenconnector 112 and 114. Hose wand 120 comprises, hose wand body 129,valve 126 (valve means), handle 124, air passageway 128, hose extension116 and locking end 118. Source connector 112 and locking ring 122 areattached and sealed to hose 114 at opposite ends. Source connector 112can be designed to removably attach to vacuum air suction port 134 whichreceive air suction from a vacuum cleaner through vacuum hose 136. Forthis design, source connector 112 snap locks into place within port 134to provide a relatively air-tight seal, however, many other lockingmechanisms would also work. Hose extension 116 has a locking end 118 onone end, and hose wand housing 129 on the other. A pivot joint may beadded between hose wand body 129 and hose extension 116 to providebetter usability. Handle 124 on body 129 can be used to move valve 126between open and closed positions, wherein valve 126 may close-offairflow through passageway 128. Handle 124 may be spring-loaded so thatvalve 126 automatically opens when the user releases handle 124. Hosewand 120 can be connected to Linearly Retractable hose 110 by lockingring 122. Hose extension 116 is slidable within locking ring 122 and canbe moved between a retracted position shown in FIG. 10A and an extendedposition shown in FIG. 10B. In both positions, locking ring 122 may betwisted to prevent hose extension 116 from sliding. The extension andretraction of Linearly Retractable Hose 114 may be designed to beindependent of the extension and retraction of hose extension 116 inthis design, but may act together in some designs if desired. With bothhoses 114 and 116 in there retracted positions (see FIG. 10A), lockingend 118 on the end of hose extension 116 may be twist locked into areceiving port on the inside of source connector 112. Hose extension 116may alternatively form a tube around Linearly Retractable Hose 112instead of down its interior air channel. This alternative exterior hoseextension would have a locking end that attaches to the outside ofsource connector 112 instead of the inside. Both designs would allowhose 114 to be held in a compressed state with air suction turned off.

[0071]FIG. 11 shows a close-up of hose wand 28 from FIGS. 2A and 2B. InFIG. 11 we see more clearly, that valve mechanism 25 comprises a handle29, a sliding valve 27 (airflow control valve), a pivot hinge 66 and abiasing spring 62. Hose wand 28 may be made of a high-impact plastic,but could also be made of stamped metal or other material andcombinations. Spring 62 may be a spring steel torsional spring with twoends 62 a and 62 b which are designed to keep sliding valve 27 in theopen position (as seen in FIGS. 2B and 11) during normal operation.Spring ends 62 a and 62 b press on hose wand body 68 and handle 29respectfully to provide this biasing. A stop 64 keeps the sliding valvefrom sliding out of hose wand body 68, and sliding valve guide slot 60keeps the sliding valve aligned within the hose wand as it move in andout of the interior of hose air passageway 23. Valve mechanism 25, inthis preferred design, allows sliding valve 27 to close-off airpassageway 23 to significantly increase vacuum pressure on the hose. Toclose-off air passageway 23, the user presses on handle 29, forcingvalve 27 along guides 60 into passageway 23 as seen in FIG. 2A. Thiseffectively blocks suction air to the end of hose wand body 68 andsubstantially stops airflow through hose 30 b. Sliding valve 27 has theadded advantage of sliding perpendicular to the vacuum pressure so thatvacuum force generates very little force in the direction of motion ofvalve 27. This makes it relatively easy for the user to close the valve27 since less force is needed on handle 29 to close off passageway 23.Hose wand body 68 and valve mechanism 25 may be made of injection moldedplastic.

[0072] In FIG. 12 we show a standard prior art vacuum hose 71 with awand 70 having a pressure relief valve 72 added. Hose 71 may compriseany of a number of standard extendible vacuum hose designs on themarket, which are compressible and extendible along their length. Thesetypes of hoses are use in upright vacuums where a retractablespring-biased hose allows storage in a small space (note this biasing isthe opposite of the disclosed Linearly retractable Vacuum Hose).Pressure relief valve 72 provides added function to standard extendiblehose 71 by limiting the vacuum pressure that tends to pull hose 71toward a retracted position (adds to the already existing spring biasforce). Hose wand 70 comprises a body section 75, with an air channel 76passing through it from hose 71 to wand end 79. Mounted on body 75 ispressure relief valve 72 which can be designed to open valve port 73 bypivoting on hinge 74. Valve 72 has a range of motion shown by arrow 69a. When vacuum pressure inside air passageway 76 increases above apreset vacuum pressure value, valve 72 begins to open. This presetvacuum pressure value can be determined by the size of valve 72 andspring clip 78 mounted in slot 77 on the inside of wand body 79. Theother end of spring clip 78 presses up against the inside of valve 72and keeps valve 72 forced against valve port 73 to seal off air. Springclip 72 can be designed with the proper tension so valve 72 rarely opensduring normal use, but may open nearly completely if the end of hosewand body 79 can be completely blocked from air flowing. Many otherstandard types of valves can be used for valve 72 provided they can openautomatically and sufficiently to keep vacuum pressure within passageway76 below the desired value.

[0073] In FIG. 13 we see a vacuum hose wand 80 designed for a LinearlyRetractable Vacuum Hose 81 which is similar to hoses seen in FIGS. 2A-B,3C, 7A-B, 8A-B and 10A-B. Relief valve 82 can be biased with spring clip98 which can be held in place by support 96 that is molded into hosewand body 85. Valve 82 has a similar range of rotation 69 b about hinge84 that valve 72 has in FIG. 12. Pressure relief valve 82 blocks port 83to close off air from passing through port 83 until a predetermined(preset) vacuum pressure is reached. This predetermined vacuum pressurecan be controlled by the selection of spring clip 98 bias and the shapeand area size of valve 82. These parameters are adjusted so that reliefvalve 82 may open when a vacuum pressure inside air passageway 89 isnear the vacuum pressure (V₁) needed to begin retracting hose 81. Hinge84 along with spring 98, may keep valve 82 closed over port 83 untilthis near (V₁) vacuum pressure is reached. Greater vacuum pressure cancause control valve 82 to begin opening and to bleed air into the hosewand and thus limit vacuum pressure increase, which in turn limits theretracting of hose 81. Lower vacuum pressures (higher absolutepressure), valve 82 remains closed and suction air mostly flows intohose 81 and wand 80 though the end of body 85. One should note that thevacuum pressure where hose 81 just begins to retract is simply onepressure value within a range of pressures that would work for this typeof pressure relief valve. The actual selected preset pressure valuewould depend on the specific use for hose wand 80. Hose wand 80 also hasan airflow control valve 94 and handle 87 similar to that seen in FIG.11, accept that valve 94 does not require a guide slot 97 to support itbecause support 90 braces control valve 94 against vacuum forces whenair passageway 89 is closed-off. Slot 97 is still shown here in FIG. 13,as the slot can be used to provide a better sealing surface for valve94. Stop 92 prevents control valve 94 from opening too far and exitinghose wand body 85. Stop 92, support 90, control valve 94 and handle 87may be molded from a single piece of polymer plastic. A slot 88 in hosewand body 85 can be made to seal against the surfaces of control valve94 and support 90 as they move in and out of air passageway 89. Slot 88can have a gasket material along its edges to help seal vacuum air fromflowing between the interface of slot 88 and plastic surfaces of 90 and94. Slot 88 could use a felt guide or rubber gasket lining its inside,which would be sufficient to restrict airflow through the interface. Ahinge 86 keeps control valve 94 open until the user squeezes handle 87to close the valve. Many standard ways exist for spring biasing thehinges for handle 87 and valve 82. In this design a spring clip 95 canbe used to force handle 87 away from body 85. Airflow control valve 94can be placed between the suction air source (hose 81) and relief valve82. This can be done so that control valve 94 can substantiallyclose-off suction air from passing through hose wand 80 to hose 81 andthus, create “Max. Vacuum” (see FIG. 4) to retract hose 81.

[0074] In FIG. 14 we see a section view of an alternate hose wand 160with a pressure relief valve 142 similar to pressure relief valve 82. Inthis design a different sealing mechanism 146 can be used whichcomprises spring-loaded hinge 147, spring clip 156, handle 148, andsealing valve plate 149. Handle 148 and valve 149 are molded out of asingle piece of plastic and attached to hose wand body 145 at hinge 147.Body 145 would preferably be made of two injection molded parts that arebonded together along the plane of the paper and thereby secure sealingmechanism 146 and release valve 142 in place at hinge 147 and 144respectfully. Valve plate 149 can rotate between its shown open positionand closed position 149 a. Valve plate 149 rotates about hinge 147 tomake this transition. Spring clip 156 can be biased to keep valve plate149 in its open position (as shown) until the user presses handle 148.The surfaces comprising handle 148 are kept sealed from airflow by asealing gasket 159 which can be attached to hose wand body 145 and keepsair from passing between handle 148 and body 145. Sealing gasket 159forms a hole in body 145 to allow handle to move valve 149 in and outfrom its open and closed positions without substantial amounts of airleaking into channel 151. Similarly, relief valve 142 has spring clip154 biased to keep it closed until sufficient vacuum pressure on valve142 causes it to open. Valve 142 seats against hole 143 to prevent airfrom entering the hose wand channel 151 unintentionally. An additionalgasket may be used as an interface between hole 143 and valve 142, butsuch small plastic valves can be relatively easy to get to sealsufficiently for this application.

[0075] In FIG. 15 we see a perspective view of vacuum hose wand 160 withthe front half of hose wand body 165 removed to show the interior (notethe other hose wands in FIGS. 12 through 16 are similarly constructed).Hose wand body 165 may be constructed of two halves which are mirrorimages of each other as seen in FIG. 15 (only the rear half shown). ALinearly Retractable Vacuum Hose 171 is attached to the rear of hosewand body 165 and its hollow interior allows air to be conducted fromone end of body 165 to the other. For the design in FIG. 15 then entirehose wand would be made of four separate plastic parts which include atwo piece hose wand body 165, polymer spring 167, and control mechanism176. Hose wand body 165 would comprise two halves each mirror images ofthe other. Tabs and slots (not shown) would be molded into the joiningedges of body 165 so that the two halves could be easily aligned forbonding. In this design body 165 has the following features molded intoit: pivot support 166, guide slot 177 and relief valve port 164. Controlmechanism 176 can be a single molded plastic part in this design, andcomprises several distinct features molded into it. These featuresinclude: handle 168, pivot knob 178, sliding valve 174, support rib 170,and relief valve/stop 172. Pivot knob 178 can fit into pivot supports166 on each half of wand body 165 to allow mechanism 176 to pivot aboutthat axis. Spring 167 can be an elastic polymer, or rubber covered steelspring, bonded to handle 168 and hose body 165 to hold it in place.Polymer spring 167 used here instead of a standard spring clips just toshow an alternative way to provide a bias force for keeping valve 172closed over port 164. Many other methods can be used to bias valvemechanism 176. The polymer spring 167 is biased so that handle 168 wantsto spring outward away from wand body 165 with sliding valve 174substantially open and outside wand body 165. Valve mechanism 176 can beplaced in between the two halves of body 165 when the body is puttogether, thus holding it in place. A relief valve port 164 formed bythe two haves of body 165 when bonded together and designed to bleed airinto channel 162 when needed. This valve port 164, allows sliding valve174 and support 170 to move freely in and out of body 165. Reliefvalve/stop 172 prevents the sliding valve 174 from sliding completelyout of the hose wand body, and also seals relief valve port 164 whenhandle 168 is released by the user. Spring 167 has the proper biasing sothat excess vacuum pressure within air passageway 162 causes reliefvalve/stop 172 to lift slightly off its sealing surface port 164. Thisbleeds air into air passageway 151 and reduces excess vacuum pressure.Valve port 164 should be made of sufficient size, so that sufficient aircan be bled into air passageway 162 to reduce vacuum pressure to thedesired value to reduce unintentional retracting of hose 171.

[0076] In FIG. 16 we see a perspective view of vacuum hose wand 180 withthe front section of hose wand body 185 removed to show the interior.Hose wand body 185 can be constructed of two halves which are mirrorimages of each other (only the rear half shown). The basic design ofhose wand 180 can be the same as hose wand 160, but with a shortenedhandle 188 and port opening 196, 197, 198. Hose wand 180, similarly,combines a pressure relief valve 192 in its control valve mechanism 199.Combining the vacuum pressure relief function with the valve controlmechanism reduces control mechanism 199 to a single movable piece ofplastic, thus simplifying construction and reducing cost. Hose wand 180can be attached to Linearly Retractable Vacuum Hose 191 using standardhose bonding methods. Hose 191 may comprise any of the LinearlyRetractable Vacuum Hose designs shown here in this document. Mechanism199 comprises hinge knobs 184, a handle 188, a support rib 190, a reliefvalve/stop 192, and a sliding control valve 194. Support rib 190 helpssupport control valve 194 and relief valve 192 against vacuum pressure.On the bottom portion of valve 194 and support 190 is attached handle188 for the user to grip. Pressing in handle 188 causes control valve194 to move perpendicular to the suction airflow along path 193 andclose off air passageway 181 as shown in FIG. 16. Because valve 194closes perpendicular to the suction force, very little force can betransferred to handle 188 against the user's hand as vacuum pressurebuild-up behind the closing valve. This makes it much easier for theuser to close valve 194 with handle 188, than to press valve 149 in FIG.14, which must close against vacuum pressure (position 149 a). Reliefvalve port 197 in wand body 185 can be designed to begin bleeding airinto air passageway 181 when the vacuum pressure within the wandincreases above a predetermined maximum. Handle 188 can be biasedsimilarly to handles shown in FIG. 14 or 15 to keep relief valve 192closed over valve port 197 when vacuum pressure is below thispredetermined maximum. Valve port 197 can be placed on the side ofcontrol valve 194 away from the suction supply. This is to allow controlvalve 194 to close-off all air entering the hose wand when handle 188 iscompletely depressed as shown in FIG. 16. Port opening 196 in body 185seals around support 190, and port opening 198 seals around valve 194 toallow support 190 and valve 194 to move freely in and out of hose wandbody 185 while keeping air from leaking into air passageway 181.

[0077]FIG. 17 shows another way valve control may be achieved with hosewand 200 attached to Linearly Retractable hose 222. Note that only theleft-half of hose wand 200 is shown, the right-half (not shown) is themirror image of the left-half. Hose 222 is attached at connector 206molded into the body of wand 200. Connector 206 may be designed torotate about the axis of hose 222 to allow the hose wand 200 to rotatewith respect to hose 222. Passageway 204 allows air to be sucked intowand end 202, passed valve 220 and into hose 222. Relief valve 72 can bethe same as shown on hose wand 70 in FIG. 12. Body 202 provides springsupport 218 to hold spring 78 and valve opening 216 for valve 72 to sealagainst. Sealing valve assembly 220 can also be placed on hose wand 200,which comprises guide notch 214, sliding valve segments 212, thumbcontrol 210, and rectangular shaped valve housing molded into hose wandbody 202. Slide valve 212 comprises several linked segments made of aflexible polymer (such as Polypropylene) which can be designed to slidewithin channel 214 to close off air passageway 204. Arrow 209 shows therange of motion for the end of linked segments 212. Thumb control 210 isshown slightly to the left of its fully open position within channel214, and segments 212 are just starting to block air passageway 204.Wand body 202 has a rectangular shape at valve housing 208 to allowchannel 214 to maintain an equal distance from its corresponding channelon the right-side of the housing (removed, not shown).

[0078] Water Hose End Design—FIG. 18

[0079] In FIG. 18 we see hose 230 with Linearly Retractable Water Hosenozzle end 240. Hose 230 and nozzle end 240 have been sectioned alongtheir mid-section to show the cross-section of their components. Hose230 can be designed similarly to the other designs within this patent,with a coiled biasing spring 236, inner cover 234, and outer cover 232.Spring 236 may comprise any of a number of resilient materials, such as,spring steel, composites, etc. On the end of hose 230 is mounted nozzleend 240, which can be designed with standard garden hose threads 244.Nozzle end 240 comprises an inner crimp ring 237, an outer crimp ring242 which also provides threads 244, and water restriction ring 246.Hose 230 can be trapped between crimp rings 237 and 242 to provide acompression fit that is water tight and secure. Additional bondingmaterials may be used between the two crimp rings to insure a watertightconnection between hose 230 and nozzle end 240. Crimp rings 242 and 237are also crimped onto each other so that they form a rigid unit thatwill not fall apart during use. Crimp ring 237 also has a circular ridge238 crimped radially inward to provide support for restriction ring 246.Alternatively, a restriction ring 246 may be placed over circular ridge238 to provide this restriction as shown in FIG. 18. Channel 248 throughthe center of restriction ring 246 (or just the circular ridge, can bedesigned to restrict water flow just enough for pressure to increasewithin hose 230 sufficient to fully extend it. Thus, hose 230 willextend fully when water is turned on, even without a sprinkler, nozzleor other garden watering device to provide the restriction. Care must betaken to not overly restrict water flow so that insufficient pressureremains to supply garden watering devices. Restriction may also beaccomplished with a twist on extension which can be screwed onto nozzleconnector 244 to provide restriction in water flow, or removed toprovide full water flow to a sprinkler or the like.

[0080] Note that the use of a separate restriction ring 246 is optionalsince circular ridge 238 may be made with a small enough opening tosufficiently restrict water flow through the hose. Notice that evenwithout restriction ring 246 or ridge 238, water is restricted by hose230 itself. The oscillating diameter of the hose, can cause turbulencein the flowing fluid which creates hydraulic friction that resists theflow of the fluid. Even a smooth hose will experience a significantpressure drop when flowing. Thus, spring 236 may be made soft enough,and cover layers 232 and 234 flexible enough, that the walls of the hoseprovide sufficient water friction to extend hose 230. Since this type ofhydraulic friction would be spread along the length of the hose, notjust near the end, more extension force is experienced by the springnear its source end than the nozzle end. Thus, the biasing spring can bemade with a decreasing spring tension so that friction of water againstthe hose can extend it. Such a graduated spring may also be used onother hose designs. The more flexible cover layers 232 and 234 are, thegreater portion of biasing from spring 236 that can be used to retracthose 230 when water pressure is turned off, and the less spring biasneeded to retract the hose. Of course, this type of hose can be usedwith other fluids besides water. Many different means for creating afluid flow restriction are possible. Multiple constrictions may be used,and may be placed along the length of the hose or may be placed near theend of the hose, for the purpose of creating a restriction on fluidflow, which in turn, will create a back pressure within the hose to helpextend it.

[0081] In-Wall Extendible Hose—FIG. 19

[0082] In FIG. 19 we see an in-wall mounted Linearly Retractable Hosesystem, comprising; holding case 260, hose tube 258, vacuum hoseconnector 252, Linearly Retractable Hose 250, and hose wand 28. The hosesystem would mount between the wall studs 264 of a standard home, afterwhich it may be covered up with sheet-rock (gypsum board) except whereholding case 260 may protrude. Hose wand 28 is the same hose wand seenin FIGS. 2A-B, and II and has been attached to hose 250 for this design.Hose 250 can be of similar construction to the other LinearlyRetractable Hoses presented here, and may have an extended length ofmore than thirty feet. The biasing spring within hose 250 may be made ofa multi-conductor so that it can provide electrical power to the hosewand to provide power for tools. Hose 250 can be placed inside andthrough hose tube 258 which is shown as a clear tube in FIG. 19. Tube258 may be replaced by an indented channel with the same general shape,which hose 250 can be inserted into from the front. This would allowhose 250 to be extended from the wall all the way to connector 252,which would provide additional useable hose length that would normallybe threaded through hose tube 258. Hose 250 can be connected at sourceconnector 252 within hose tube 258, so that central vacuum hose 254 canprovide suction air for hose 250. Connector 252 may also slide withinhose tube 258 so that the hose end shown near 252 may slide within hosetube 258 to a position near tube entrance port 256. This effectivelyincreases the usable hose length. Hose tube 258 may be a continuous tubewith a smooth inner surface or other construction means that provides asimilar pipe shaped channel. The interior surface of hose tube 258 canbe designed to allow hose 250 to slide easily within it as it expandsand contracts during use. Holding case 260 can be attached to hose tube258 near its entrance port 256. After passing through hose tube 258,hose 250 extends from entrance port 256. Entrance port 256 may berounded with a smooth curved surface (not shown) to allow hose 250 toslide easily in and out of it at an angle. Holding case 260 can bedesigned to hold and secure hose wand 28 while not in use. An indentedsection 262 can be designed to hold hose wand 28 and contains a switchto detect the hose wand's presents so that the central vacuum cleanerturned off when the wand is present in indentation 262. Many ways existfor holding and securing hose wand 28 to holding case 260 and suchfastening methods are almost uncountable. The use of the properly shapedindentation 262 may be sufficient to secure wand 28, but other clamping,connecting, latching, binding, locking, etc. devices may also be used toassure secure removable mounting. Finally, a door (not shown) may beplace on holding case 260 to provide a clean finish look for the wall inwhich this hose system is installed. This door can also help hold hosewand 28 in place while not in use.

Operational Description

[0083] The Linearly Retractable Hose can be operated by differentialbias forces from the internal pressure within the hose and bias springbuilt into the hose. By adjusting the internal pressure of the hose, thenet bias (or total bias) longitudinally on the hose can changedirection, to either extend or retract the hose. The bias spring allowsthis retraction or extension of the hose without the internal pressureneeding to cross ambient pressure (that is, a vacuum hose maintains avacuum pressure within the hose during both extending and retractingoperation, and a pressure hose maintains a internal pressure aboveambient during both extending and retracting operation. Thus, the hosemay be extended and contracted by simply changing the internal pressuredifferential between the interior and exterior of the hose. Thelongitudinal force generated by this pressure differential willdetermine whether the longitudinal force from biasing spring can beovercome to provide extension or retraction of the hose.

[0084] While the construction of a Linearly Retractable Pressure hoseand Linearly Retractable Vacuum hose are nearly the same, the biasing ofthe integrated spring and the way pressure is controlled within thehoses are quite different. Because of this, we will discuss theoperation of each type of hose separately.

[0085] Pressure Hose Operation—FIGS. 1A-B, 4, 9A-B and 18

[0086] In FIGS. 1A-B we see Linearly Retractable Hose 30 being used as apressure hose for carrying water (i.e. garden hose). In FIG. 1A, hose 30is fully retracted and in its relaxed state (zero gauge pressure). Thebiasing spring within hose 30 has pulled and compressed the hose to itsshortest length. Spring tension remaining within hose 30 in thiscompressed state and tightly compresses the hose longitudinally so thatit may be carried easily. Connector 20 can be attached to a water faucetand water under pressure can flow into hose 30. The water flows throughthe retracted hose 30, through nozzle connector 22 and into sprinkler24. Because of restricted passageways within sprinkler 24, pressurequickly builds as water tries to force its way through the sprinkler.Once an internal pressure (P₁) is reached the magnitude of the pressureforce is greater-than the magnitude of the spring bias force compressinghose 30, and the hose begins to expand (extend) linearly (longitudinallyalong its length). Water continues to flow into the hose, and thepressure continues to increase as the hose extends. At some point thehose reaches its maximum length at an internal pressure (P₂) which issufficient to overcome the spring bias when fully extended. Internalpressure within hose 30 continues to increase as more and more waterflows out of sprinkler 24, but the hose body itself may resists furtherextending by resisting being stretched in the longitudinal direction.Eventually, an equilibrium is reached between the water flow ratethrough the sprinkler and the internal pressure within hose 30. Thisnormalization process takes only a second or twos after the hose hasreached its full length. Final pressure within hose 30 can be very nearthe faucet static pressure depending on how restricted the water flow isthrough sprinkler 24.

[0087] After hose 30 has reached its full length it can be used justlike any standard garden hose. When the user is done with the hose theuser simply shuts off the faucet water supply to the hose. Waterpressure quickly drops below pressure (P₂) and hose 30 begins tocontract. Spring bias within hose 30 keeps the water pressurized andcontinues, to push the water out through sprinkler 24 as it retracts.Thus, the hose slowly retracts as water is forced out through thesprinkler. If the spring bias is strong enough, the hose will also dragthe sprinkler back with it to its fully retracted position. Once in itsfully retracted position the internal water pressure within hose 30quickly drops to zero.

[0088] In FIGS. 9A-B we see a Linearly Retractable Water Hose 100. Thishose is designed to carry water and is attached to water faucet 102 withsource connector 106. The hose is in its retracted position in FIG. 9Abecause the water pressure is turned off at faucet 102. A nozzle 104 isplaced on nozzle connector 108 at the end of retractable hose 100. Whenfaucet 102 is turned on, water rushes into hose 100 and pressure buildsup inside the hose. Nozzle 104 restricts the rate at which water canescape from the hose and thus causes water pressure to increase withinthe hose. In FIG. 9b, as this pressure builds, the restoring force(spring bias) within hose 100 is overcome by the internal water pressureand the hose expands linearly to its full length. The hose is designedwith a biasing that will allow it to expand to its full length even whennozzle 104 allows large quantities of water to exit. In general, onlyabout one-quarter (one-forth) of a typical household water pressure of40 to 80 psi should be required to fully extend the hose. Conversely, iftoo little pressure is needed to extend the hose, the hose will notretract forcefully when pressure is released. If too much pressure isneeded to extend the hose, nozzle 104 may need to restrict too muchwater flow for proper use of the hose. However, for specificapplications, the spring biasing can be made significantly differentthan this one-quarter water pressure value. When the water pressure isturned off, the hose slowly retracts to its compressed state as water isslowly forced out through the open nozzle by the contracting force ofthe hose. If nozzle 104 is closed before turning off the water, the hosewill remain pressurized and will remain extended. Opening the nozzle inthis condition will again cause the hose to retract.

[0089] In FIG. 18 we see Linearly Retractable Water Hose 230 with nozzleconnector 240. Hose 230 is shown in its extended position as if water isflowing, but no water is shown in FIG. 18 to provide clarity to thedrawing. The water pressure has expanded inner cover 234 and outer cover232, and extended bias spring 236 against its biasing. This particularhose is designed to extend even if no nozzle attachment is attached toit. Nozzle connector 240 is attached to the end of hose 230 and providesa restricted hole 248 which water must flow through to exit threadedconnector 244. This restriction resists water flow and creates a backpressure within hose 230 which is sufficient to overcome the spring biasof spring 236 when substantially extended. Hole 248 may be made muchlarger than shown, and such restricted holes may be tailored for thewater pressure they are expected to deal with. Restriction hole 248 mayalso be designed with any of a number of shapes that provide a spray,fan shaped or other type of water output shape. Restriction ring 246 isdesigned to provide a clean solid beam of water. When water pressure isturned off, hose 230 retracts because of biasing from spring 236. Also,notice that other Linearly Retractable Hoses disclosed here can also becontrolled by controlling the fluid flow source. For example, imaginehose 230 continuing to the left off the paper and attaching to astandard water faucet outlet, such as seen in FIGS. 9A-B. The user maycontrol the extending and retracting of the hose by simply controllingthe source, i.e. by turning the faucet on and off.

[0090] Vacuum Hose Operation—FIGS. 2A-B, 4, 10A-B, 11, and 19

[0091] In FIGS. 2A-B we see Linearly Retractable Vacuum Hose 30 b beingused as a vacuum hose for use with a household vacuum cleaner (notshown) attached at source connector 26. Hose 30 b has the oppositespring bias that pressure hose 30 has, which means hose 30 b extendsfully when in its natural state (no pressure) as seen in FIG. 2B. Withconnector 26 attached to a vacuum source, suction air begins movingthrough the end of hose wand body 68, passed opened valve 27 (see FIGS.2B and 11), and through hose 30 b. Suction air through hose 30 b andhose wand 28 experiences only minor restrictions to airflow, andinsufficient pressure differential is created to cause hose 30 b toretract. Even with a standard vacuum nozzle (i.e., dust brush, crevicetool, upholstery tool—not shown) placed on the end of hose wand body 68,the vacuum pressure within hose 30 b is still less-than pressure V₁where the hose would begin retracting. Thus, during normal use, hose 30b remains extended and does not tend to pull back as the user is tryingto operate it. When the user is finished using the hose, they press downon handle 29 which pushes sliding valve 27 across air passageway 23. InFIG. 11 we can see that channel valve guide 60 helps guide valve 27 intopassageway 23. Valve guide 60 also resists the suction force generatedby the vacuum that builds within hose 30 b when the hose is closed off.Closing valve 27 causes vacuum pressure to increase above V₁ within hose30 b which causes the magnitude of the vacuum pressure force to begreater-than the magnitude of the spring bias force, and the hose tobegin to contract. As the vacuum pressure builds beyond V₂ hose 30 b maybe fully contracted and can be stored in this retracted state. Vacuumpressure is needed to keep the hose in this position, but many waysexist to clamp (secure) the hose in place so that it cannot extend oncevacuum pressure is turned off. Use of a tube or channel to hold the hoseand a clip to hold the hose wand works well. Another means of lockingthe hose in its retracted position is to use a rigid hose extension downthe center of the hose as seen in FIGS. 10A and 10B. When the hose isneeded again, hose wand 28 is simply twisted to release the locking ringmechanism 122.

[0092] In FIG. 11, we see, that during use of hose wand 28, slidingvalve 27 is open with stop 64 in contact with the inside of hose wandbody 68. With valve 27 open, the spring bias within hose 30 bautomatically extends the hose. When the user is finished, valve 27 isclosed again and the hose automatically retracts itself linearly forstorage. The spring tension within hose 30 b (FIGS. 2A-B), and 114(FIGS. 10A-B) can be increased so that the maximum vacuum pressure isjust able to fully contract the hose. This smaller margin of vacuumpressure is acceptable since the user may provide a small amount ofphysical force to fully compress the hose for storage if vacuum isreduced due to a full bag, old motor, or etc. By doing this, the hosehas maximum spring bias for extending the hose, and have greaterextending bias when fully extended. When fully extended, this extraspring bias reduces the retracting of the hose caused by vacuum nozzleattachments which may partially close-off the suction passageway. Thiskeeps the hose extended even during heavy use.

[0093] In FIG. 10a we see Linearly Retractable Vacuum Hose 110. Thishose is designed to carry air under a partial vacuum, such as, from ahousehold central vacuum cleaner. The design shown is for attachment toa central vacuum system which has wall mounted outlets 138. The outlethas an attachment port 134 that receives vacuum suction from the centralvacuum (not shown) through standard vacuum piping 136 inside wall 140 ofthe house. Connector 112 of hose 110 is inserted into attachment port134 which causes vacuum suction to flow in hose 110. The hose isextended by twisting hose wand 120. This twisting action turns both hosewand 120 and conduit hose extension 116 which operate as a single piece.Locking end 118 on the bottom of extension 116 turns locking end 118within connector 112 and releases it from connector 112 to allow thehose to extend. With handle 124 unpressed, valve 126 is open and suctionair can easily flow. This flow of air reduces the vacuum pressure belowthe critical level V₁ (see FIG. 4), and the hose extends to its fulllength under the biasing of the spring within hose 114. In FIG. 10b wesee extension 116 has been pulled outside of hose 114 and locked intoposition by twist lock ring 122. Hose 114 and hose wand 120 can now beused like a standard vacuum hose. When finished, the user presses handle124 inward against hose wand body 129. This action causes valve 126 tobe pushed up into the air passageway 128 within wand 120 and close offairflow to the end of the wand. This causes vacuum pressure to increasesignificantly inside hose 114 to a level beyond V₂ (see FIG. 4). Thisresults in hose 114 forcefully contracting as vacuum pressure overcomesthe spring biasing within hose 114. The user continues to bold handle124 down as lock ring 122 is released and extension 116 is slid backinside the now compressed hose 114, causing the hose to conform to therigid straight shape of extension 116. Locking end 118 of extension 116is then pushed into the inner portion of connector 112 and turned bytwisting hose wand 120 to lock end 118 and connector 112 together tohold the hose in place. Handle 124 may then be released and the hosewill remain compressed between wand 120 and connector 112 by extension116. The entire retractable hose may then be easily removed from outlet138 for storage.

[0094] In FIG. 19 we see a Linearly Retractable Hose system built intothe wall of a home. In its stored state, hose 250 would be fullycompressed inside hose tube 258 and hose wand 28 mounted in indentation262 where it is securely held. With vacuum pressure “OFF” hose 250 istrying to extend, but the holding case does not let hose wand 28 move.When the user starts to remove hose wand 250 from holding case 260 anelectrical switch (not shown) is activated which turns on the centralvacuum cleaner (not shown). The central vacuum cleaner provides suctionair to vacuum hose 254 which in turn supplies hose 250 and hose wand 28.As handle 29 is released valve 27 slides open and the vacuum pressurewithin hose 250 quickly drops and spring bias within hose 250 beginsextending it. The user may control this extension process by controllinghow much valve 27 is opened. At full extension hose 250 is about fourtimes longer than it was in its stored position. This means the lengthof hose outside the wall is approximately three times its originallength. After the user is done cleaning they may press in handle 29 toclose off air passageway 23 which causes hose 250 to retract back intohose tube 258. Once all of hose 250 is inside hose tube 258, hose wand28 is snapped (or locked, or clipped, etc.) into place in wandindentation 262. As this is done, the electrical switch is turned offand the central vacuum cleaner shuts off (stored position).

[0095] Alternatively, for an in-wall design, hose tube 258 may beeliminated and be replaced by a larger holding case with a long indentedchannel looped around the holding case. The same hose 250 and hose wand28 may be used. This indented channel provides a place where the usermay manually insert the compressed hose and hose wand. The indentedchannel may need a curved outside sidewall to prevent the hose fromslipping out accidently. Once the hose is in the indented channel, thehose wand is snapped into its indentation. This action, can cause powerto the central vacuum cleaner to be shut-off, and vacuum pressure canslowly bleed from the hose. Eventually, the hose extends and presses upagainst the outside sidewall of the indented channel walls and securelyholds itself in place. Because the outside sidewall is recessed, it isless likely to slip accidently out of the indented channel. This type ofstorage makes better use of the hose, since all of the hose can beextended from the wall, however, it does require a much larger wallpanel. A rotary joint may be placed between the hose and hose wand toallow the hose wand to spin on the hose. This helps in wrapping the hoseinto the indented channel because the user can more easily hold downhandle 29 as they wrap hose 250 into the indented channel.

[0096] Vacuum Hose Wand with Pressure Release—FIGS. 12 though 17

[0097] During the use of a vacuum cleaner hose wand, the end of the hosewand will sometimes seal itself against objects causing the vacuumpressure to suddenly increase inside the hose. This can be a problem forhoses that are designed to extend or retract, because this vacuumpressure tends to pull the hose back into a retracted position. Thus,the user must fight with the hose to keep it from retracting. This isless of a problem with a Linearly Retractable Hose, because of thepre-stressed spring, but the hose can still pull on the hose wand wheninadvertent closure of the hose wand end occurs. To solve this problem apressure relief valve may be added to the hose wand, so if the hose endis closed-off, vacuum pressure cannot increase too much. The valve maybe placed anywhere on the hose wand to help keep the hose from stronglycontracting. For the Linearly Retractable Vacuum Hose, the pressurerelief valve must be placed forward of the means to seal the suctionpassageway (that is, the airflow control valve between suction sourceand relief valve). In this way, the relief valve will not effect theability of the sealing means to completely close off the vacuum hose. Ifthe relief valve was placed before the sealing means, the valve wouldopen and bleed air into the hose preventing a complete seal. As we willsee later in FIGS. 15 through 16, the airflow control valve and therelief valve can be combined into a single actuating valve. The reliefvalve may also be used on standard prior art retractable vacuum hoses,which have a spring biased to retract.

[0098] In FIG. 12 we see a simple hose wand 70 attached to a standardprior art retractable hose 71 (presently used on many vacuum cleaners).If the end of hose wand body 79 is closed off by material being cleaned,the pressure within channel 76 increases causing a retracting force onhose 71. To reduce this problem, relief valve 72 can be added whichopens and bleeds air in through port 73 when vacuum pressure insidechannel 76 reaches a predetermined value. Once vacuum pressure risesabove this value, valve 72 can be pushed open by the pressuredifferential between the ambient air and vacuum pressure within body 75.Spring clip 78 provides the proper biasing so that valve 72 opens at theproper pressure. The size of port 73 and the biasing of valve 72 controlhow much air can be bled into the interior of body 75, so thatsufficient air can be bled into the hose wand to keep vacuum pressurebelow the desired maximum. By limiting the maximum vacuum pressure, themaximum retraction force on the hose wand may also limited, and thus theforce exerted on the user. Valve 72 can be designed so that partialclosure of the open end of body 79 does not increase vacuum pressuresufficiently to cause valve 72 to open.

[0099] In FIG. 13 we see hose wand 80 with the front half of hose wandbody 85 removed. Hose wand body 85 may be attached directly to aLinearly Retractable Vacuum Hose 81. A swivel adaptor may be placedbetween them body 85 and hose 81 if desired, or other pivotal jointstructure that suction air can flow through. Pressure relief valve 82can be similar in design to valve 72, and bleed air into air passageway89 when vacuum pressure within air passageway 89 increases beyond apredetermined value. This predetermined vacuum for relief valve 82 maybe much higher than for relief valve 72, because Linearly RetractableHoses have significant extending bias built into them. This means thathose 81 can remain extended even when considerable vacuum pressureexists within hose 81 and hose wand 80. Spring clip 98 would thus mayneed to be stiffer than spring clip 78 (provided the size of valve 82and 72 are the same) to provide the higher opening pressure. When vacuumpressure within passageway 89 increases beyond the predetermined value,valve 82 begins to open port 83 and bleed air into air channel 89. Thiseffectively reduces the “maximum operating vacuum pressure” that can beachieved by blocking off the end of hose wand body 85.

[0100] During normal operation, control valve 94 is open to allowunrestricted airflow through air passageway 89 and hose 81. However,when the user wants to stow hose 81 they may squeeze handle 87, whichforces control valve 94 into air channel 89 and substantially blocks-offthe suction airflow. When this is done, vacuum pressure increases to itsmaximum value within hose 81 (note that this maximum vacuum pressurevalue is greater-than vacuum pressure obtainable by blocking off thehose wand end which opens relief valve 82). At maximum vacuum, hose 81can be designed to retract for easy storage. Upon releasing handle 87,spring clip 95 opens valve 94 allowing suction air to again flow thoughpassageway 89, and hose 81 automatically extends to its full length.

[0101] In FIG. 14 we see the left-half of hose wand 140 (right-half,mirror image of left-half, removed for clarity) attached to LinearlyRetractable Vacuum Hose 171. During normal use, handle 148 isun-depressed as shown, and suction air can freely flow through airpassageway 151. Vacuum nozzle attachments can be connected to the end ofhose wand body 145 for cleaning. If the end of hose wand body 145 isrestricted too much vacuum pressure within hose wand 140 increases andrelief valve 142 opens to bleed air into air passageway 151. Thiseffectively limits the maximum vacuum pressure that can be obtainedwithin hose wand 140 and hose 171 when control valve 149 is open. Whenthe user is finished cleaning with the vacuum hose they would presshandle 148 with their index and middle fingers to close off airpassageway 151 with valve plate 149 in the alternate position 149 a.When control valve 149 is closed by pushing on handle 148, vacuumpressure behind valve 149 in hose 171 (position 149 a), can increase tothe maximum vacuum pressure that the vacuum cleaner (not shown), towhich hose 171 is attached, can provide. This high vacuum pressure cancause hose 171 to retract to its fully retracted position so it may beeasily stored. Spring clip 156 provides the biasing to return controlmechanism 146 to its open position once the user has released handle148. The force the user must use to depress handle 148 is greater-thanthe force needed on handle 87 in FIG. 13, because handle 148 mustovercome the vacuum pressure force on valve plate 149. This force can beseveral pounds depending on the size of valve plate 149 and the maximumvacuum pressure produced by the vacuum cleaner to which hose 171 isattached.

[0102] In FIG. 15 we see a perspective view of hose wand 160 with itsright-half body section removed. For clarity of the drawing in FIG. 15,handle 168 has been pressed-in slightly to lift relief valve 172 awayfrom valve port 164. While in normal operation, relief valve/stop 172can be pressed against relief valve port 164 preventing air fromentering air passageway 162. When suction vacuum is flowing through hose171 and valve 174 is open, the end of hose wand body 165 may be used forcleaning and attachment of vacuum nozzles.

[0103] Polymer spring 167 provides the necessary biasing to keep reliefvalve/stop 172 seated on valve port 164. If the end of hose wand body165 is significantly closed-off, vacuum pressure builds up and pressuredifferential between the inside and outside of body 165 is sufficient tolift relief valve 172 off its port 164. This causes air to bleed intoair passageway 162 and limit the maximum vacuum pressure that can bemaintained without completely closing control valve 174. The biasing ofrelief valve/stop 172 can be designed to limit maximum vacuum pressureto approximately the vacuum pressure needed to start retracting LinearlyRetractable Vacuum Hose 171. This means that during cleaning, the userdoes not have to worry about the vacuum hose retracting because vacuumpressure cannot rise sufficiently to the spring bias with hose 171. Whenthe user does want to retract the hose, they simply depress handle 168which opens up relief valve port 164. As the user continues to squeezehandle 168, control valve 174 slides up across air passageway 162 andcloses it off. Because control valve 174 is substantially perpendicularto the vacuum pressure differential across the valve, handle 168requires very little force to completely close-off air passageway 162.Once closed off, vacuum pressure builds, and overcomes the spring biaswithin hose 171, and pulls the hose back into its retracted position forstorage.

[0104] In FIG. 16 we see a perspective view of hose wand 180 with itsright-half body section removed. The end of hose wand body 185 can beused for cleaning with vacuum nozzle attachments when suction vacuum isflowing through Linearly Retractable Hose 191 and air passageway 181.Normal operating mode can be when sliding control valve 194 is open andrelief valve/stop 192 is pressed against relief valve port 197preventing air from entering. Valve mechanism 199 can be biased by aspring (not shown for clarity of drawing) in holder 195, which may bevery similar to spring 156 and holder 150 in FIG. 14. Hinge 184 can bespring biased to provide the necessary biasing to keep relief valve/stop192 seated over valve port 197. If the end of hose wand body 185 issignificantly closed-off (blocked-off), vacuum pressure builds up andthe pressure differential between the inside and outside of body 185 canbe sufficient to lift relief valve 192 off its port 197. This causes airto bleed into air passageway 181 and limit the maximum vacuum pressurethat can be maintained without completely closing control valve 194. Thebiasing of relief valve/stop 192 at hinge 184 can be designed to limitmaximum vacuum pressure to approximately the vacuum pressure that willstart retracting Linearly Retractable Vacuum Hose 191. This means thatduring cleaning, the user does not have to worry about the vacuum hoseretracting because vacuum pressure cannot rise sufficiently to causehose 191 to strongly retract. When the user does want to retract thehose, they simply depress handle 188 which opens up relief valve port197. As the user continues to squeeze handle 188, control valve 194slides up across air passageway 181 and closes it off against slot 183as shown in FIG. 16. Even though relief valve port 197 is open at thistime no air flows because control valve 194 has completely blocked offsuction air from the vacuum hose. Also, because control valve 194 isapproximately perpendicular to the vacuum pressure differential acrossthe valve, handle 188 requires very little force to completely close-offair passageway 181. Once closed-off, vacuum pressure pulls hose 191 backinto its retracted position for storage. Hose 191 and hose wand 180 mustbe locked into place before vacuum pressure can be turned off otherwisehose 191 will again extend to its full length even with control valve194 closed. When the hose needs to be used again, it can be simplyunlocked from its locked position and it automatically expands to itfull length due to the spring bias within hose 191.

[0105] In FIG. 17 we see another vacuum hose wand design 200. For thisdesign pressure relief valve 72 provides the same function that it didin FIGS. 2A-B and 11. That is, opening when hose wand end 202 is blockedto reduce the maximum vacuum pressure to prevent unwanted retracting ofhose 222. During operation, thumb control 210 can be pushed fullyforward in channel 214. This lifts segmented valve 212 out of airpassageway 204 to provide airflow through wand 200 and hose 222. Whenthe user is done cleaning and wants to retract the hose, they pull backon thumb control 210 which slides segmented valve backward in channel214 and down into air channel 204. This effectively blocks air fromflowing through hose wand 200 and vacuum pressure within hose 222increases to its maximum vacuum pressure. This causes the spring bias inhose 222 to be overcome by the vacuum force and hose 222 retractsforcefully for storage.

[0106] Ramifications, and Scope

[0107] Although the above description of the invention contains manyspecifications, these should not be viewed as limiting the scope of theinvention. Instead, the above description should be consideredillustrations of some of the presently preferred embodiments of thisinvention. For example, a Linearly Retractable Vacuum Hose may be storedlock it in its retracted position in any of a number of ways. One suchmethod is shown in FIGS. 10A-B with a central hose extension that canlock the hose wand 120 to suction connector 112 and hose extension 116forces hose 114 to remain aligned while stored. Another way would be tohave an external tube for the vacuum hose to retract into and then havethe hose wand lock into place near the end of the tube. The tube wouldthus provide side support for the hose to prevent it from springing outonce vacuum pressure was turned off. Another way would be to have anopen curved-channel, which the retracted hose could fit in with the hosewand locking at one end. Then when vacuum pressure was turned off, thehose would expand outward against the curved channel to hold itself inplace. Similarly, other methods could be used to store a spring-loadedLinearly Retractable Vacuum Hose. In addition, many types and styles ofbiasing springs can be used for the hose design. For example, plastic orcomposite materials can be used for the spring. Even the hose covermaterial itself can be used as the biasing means if made of a resilientmaterial that provides a consistent restoring force. The biasingspring(s) can also be placed on the interior or exterior of the hose.Even elastic bands can be used to bias a linearly retractable hose. Thelinearly retractable hose can also have normal hose section connected toit. For example, a short section (2 to 4 feet) of standard hose may beconnected on the source end so that the extendible part of the hose canlay flat on the ground to prevent the hose from expand the wrong waywhen extending. Similarly, a standard hose section may be placed on thenozzle end to make it easier for a user to grasp. Thus, the scope ofthis invention should not be limited to the above examples, but shouldbe determined from the following claims:

We claim:
 1. A hose, comprising: a) a flexible elongated body having afirst end, a second end, and an interior channel defined along itslength for transporting a fluid material between the first end and thesecond end upon introduction of pressurized fluid into the first end; b)a biasing means interconnected with said flexible elongated body forgenerating a first force tending to retract said flexible elongated bodylongitudinally along its length; c) wherein said hose is adapted toattach to a means for restricting the flow of the fluid material flowingthrough said interior channel, wherein said means for restricting theflow results in higher pressure within said interior channel, whereinthe higher pressure generates a second force tending to extend saidflexible elongated body longitudinally along its length, and whereinwhen said second force is sufficient to overcome said first force theflexible elongated body extends.
 2. The hose in claim 1, wherein; saidflexible elongated body is sufficiently flexible to extend and retractlongitudinally along its length in response to the net force on thehose, wherein said net force is generated by the sum of the first andsecond forces, and whereby said flexible elongated body has asubstantially retracted position and a substantially extended position.3. The hose in claim 2, wherein; said means for restricting the flowprovides sufficient flow restriction to increase said second force to avalue large enough in magnitude to extend said flexible elongated bodyto said substantially extended position when said means for restrictingthe flow is active.
 4. The hose in claim 2, wherein; said first force isof sufficient strength to retract said flexible elongated body to saidsubstantially retracted position when said second force is substantiallyzero.
 5. The hose in claim 4, wherein; said means for restricting theflow provides sufficient fluid flow restriction to increase said secondforce to a value greater in magnitude than said first force when saidflexible elongated body is in said substantially retracted position. 6.The hose in claim 5, wherein; said means for restricting the flow ismounted substantially to said second end.
 7. The hose in claim 5,wherein; said means for restricting the flow is a nozzle.
 8. The hose inclaim 5, wherein; said flexible elongated body defines a sourceconnector at said first end and a nozzle connector at said second end,wherein both said source connector and said nozzle connector havestandard garden hose connector dimensions.
 9. The hose in claim 5,wherein; said substantially extended position has a longitudinal lengthgreater-than one and one-half times the longitudinal length of saidsubstantially retracted position.
 10. The hose in claim 5, wherein; saidsubstantially extended position has a longitudinal length greater-thantwo times the longitudinal length of said substantially retractedposition.
 11. The hose in claim 5, wherein; said substantially extendedposition has a longitudinal length greater-than three times thelongitudinal length of said substantially retracted position.
 12. Thehose in claim 5, wherein; said substantially extended position has alongitudinal length greater-than four times the longitudinal length ofsaid substantially retracted position.
 13. A hose, comprising: a) aflexible elongated body having a first end, a second end, and aninterior channel defined along its length for transporting a fluidmaterial between the second end and the first end upon introduction ofpressurized fluid into the first end; b) a biasing means interconnectedwith said flexible elongated body for generating a first force tendingto extend said flexible elongated body longitudinally along its length;c) wherein said hose is adapted to attach to a means for restricting theflow of the fluid material flowing through said interior channel,wherein said means for restricting the flow results in lower pressurewithin said interior channel, wherein the lower pressure generates asecond force tending to retract said flexible elongated bodylongitudinally along its length, and wherein when said second force issufficient to overcome said first force the flexible elongated bodyretracts.
 14. The hose in claim 13, wherein; said flexible elongatedbody is sufficiently flexible to extend and retract longitudinally alongits length in response to the net force on the hose, wherein said netforce is generated by the sum of the first and second forces, wherebysaid flexible elongated body has a substantially retracted position anda substantially extended position.
 15. The hose in claim 14, wherein;said means for restricting the flow provides sufficient flow restrictionto increase said second force to a value large enough in magnitude toretract said flexible elongated body to said substantially retractedposition.
 16. The hose in claim 14, wherein; said biasing means issufficient to extend said flexible elongated body to said substantiallyextended position when said second force magnitude is greater-than zero.17. The hose in claim 16, wherein; said second biasing means providessufficient fluid flow restriction to increase said second force to avalue significantly greater in magnitude than said first force when insaid substantially extended position.
 18. The hose in claim 17, wherein;said means for restricting the flow is mounted substantially to saidsecond end.
 19. The hose in claim 17, wherein; said means forrestricting the flow is a vacuum cleaner hose wand designed tocontrollably restrict the flow of air within said interior channel. 20.The hose in claim 19, further comprising; a pressure relief valvedefined on said vacuum cleaner hose wand for bleeding air into said airpassageway when the open end of said vacuum cleaner hose wand issubstantially closed-off, wherein said means for restricting the flow ispositioned in the suction airflow between said flexible elongated bodyand said pressure relief valve.
 21. The hose in claim 20, wherein; saidpressure relief valve is integrated into said means for restricting theflow.
 22. The hose in claim 17, wherein; said substantially extendedposition has a longitudinal length greater-than one and one-half timesthe longitudinal length of said substantially retracted position. 23.The hose in claim 17, wherein; said substantially extended position hasa longitudinal length greater-than two times the longitudinal length ofsaid substantially retracted position.
 24. The hose in claim 17,wherein; said substantially extended position has a longitudinal lengthgreater-than three times the longitudinal length of said substantiallyretracted position.
 25. The hose in claim 17, wherein; saidsubstantially extended position has a longitudinal length greater-thanfour times the longitudinal length of said substantially retractedposition.
 26. The hose in claim 17, wherein; said substantially extendedposition has a longitudinal length greater-than four times thelongitudinal length of said substantially retracted position.
 27. Thehose in claim 17, wherein; said flexible elongated body is retractableinto a support stricture for storage, wherein said support structureincludes a holding means for preventing said flexible elongated bodyfrom substantially extending when said second force is less-than saidfirst force.
 28. The hose in claim 17, further comprising; a supportstructure comprising a connector body mounted to said flexible elongatedbody, wherein said connector body is designed to be removably connectedto said first and/or second ends, wherein said connector body holds saidflexible elongated body in a retracted position when said first andsecond ends are connected by said connector body.
 29. The hose in claim28, wherein; said connector body forms a tube designed for conductingsuction air through said flexible elongated body.
 30. A hose,comprising: a) a flexible elongated body having a first end, a secondend, and an interior channel defined along its length for transporting afluid material between the first end and the second; b) a first biasingmeans interconnected with said flexible elongated body for generating afirst force directed longitudinally along said flexible elongated body;c) a second biasing means attached to said flexible elongated body forcontrolling the flow of fluid material through said interior channel,wherein said second biasing means generates a pressure differentialbetween the inside of said interior channel and the ambient environmentoutside of said interior channel, wherein said pressure differentialcauses a second force directed longitudinally along said flexibleelongated body, wherein said second force is opposed to said firstforce, wherein said second force magnitude is adjustable between a forcegreater-than said first force and a force less-than said first force,and d) wherein said flexible elongated body is sufficiently flexible toextend and retract longitudinally along its length in response to a netforce; wherein said net force is the sum of the first and second forces.31. The hose in claim 30, wherein said flexible elongated body has asubstantially retracted position and a substantially extended positionand wherein said flexible elongated body retracts when said second forceis greater-than said first force.
 32. The hose in claim 31, wherein;said flexible elongated body is retractable into a support structure forstorage, wherein said support structure includes a holding means forpreventing said flexible elongated body from substantially extendingwhen said second force is less-than said first force.
 33. The hose inclaim 31, further comprising; a support structure comprising a connectorbody mounted to said flexible elongated body, wherein said connectorbody is designed to be removably connected to said first and/or secondends, wherein said connector body holds said flexible elongated body ina retracted position when said first and second ends are connected bysaid connector body.
 34. The hose in claim 33, wherein; said connectorbody forms a tube designed for transporting the fluid materialtherethrough.
 35. The hose in claim 30, wherein said flexible elongatedbody has a substantially retracted position and a substantially extendedposition and wherein said flexible elongated body extends when saidsecond force is less-than said first force.
 36. A method of transportinga fluid material, comprising: a) inputting a fluid material into a hose,wherein said hose comprising; 1) a flexible elongated body having afirst end, a second end, and an interior channel defined along itslength for transporting the fluid material between the first end and thesecond end; 2) a first biasing means interconnected with said flexibleelongated body for generating a first force longitudinally directedalong said flexible elongated body, and 3) wherein inputting the fluidmaterial into the hose comprises, inputting the fluid material into thefirst end such that a flow of fluid material is created in said interiorchannel, and b) restricting the flow of fluid material through saidinterior channel, wherein the restriction of the flow causes a pressuredifferential between the inside of said interior channel and the ambientenvironment outside of said interior channel, wherein said pressuredifferential causes a second force directed longitudinally along saidflexible elongated body, wherein said second force is opposed to saidfirst force, wherein said second force magnitude is adjustable between aforce greater-than said first force and a force less-than said firstforce by adjusting said pressure differential of the input fluidmaterial and/or causing said flexible elongated body to longitudinallychange length.
 37. The method of transporting a fluid material in claim36, wherein; wherein said flexible elongated body is sufficientlyflexible to extend and retract longitudinally along its length inresponse to a net force; wherein said net force is the sum of the firstand second forces, whereby said flexible elongated body has asubstantially retracted position and a substantially extended position.38. The method of transporting a fluid material in claim 36, wherein;said flexible elongated body retracts when said second force isgreater-than said first force.
 39. The method of transporting a fluidmaterial in claim 38, further including the step of retracting saidflexible elongated body into a support structure for storage, whereinsaid support structure includes a holding means for preventing saidflexible elongated body from substantially extending when said secondforce is less-than said first force.
 41. The method of transporting afluid material in claim 39, wherein; said support structure defines atube designed for transporting said fluid material therethrough.
 42. Themethod of transporting a fluid material in claim 36, wherein; saidflexible elongated body retracts when said second force is less-thansaid first force.